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Canada US Consulate Reviews
Average Rating: 4.2
/ 5
1648 Review(s)
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| Vancouver, Canada |  Review #1821 on July 20, 2007: |
Keisha
Rating: 
Click here if you found this review helpful | Review Topic: K1 Visa
I had my interview 12 July 2007.
The interview itself took me longer than I expected. It lasted about 30 minutes, and I was asked a lot of questions - about how we met, when, and then what, when we decided to get married, what do we like about each other, what I did when I lived in my country, my education, details of my job in my home country, why I came to Canada, when, where my son is, with whom, what I do in Canada, when I applied for my permanent residence in Canada, about my previous 2 marriages years ago, why I am sure that this one will be better, why we decided to be in US and not Canada, if I met his parents, when, if J had siblings, if I met his brother, if I ever was refused entry to the US, what J does professionally, how often we visit each other, how we decided to get married if we don't know each other well enough (we know each other for about 3 years and met about every second month last year and we lived together for 2 weeks, then for 1 month, when I was visiting the US) . The officer asked me to show him pictures of us together, and was asking about other people on the pictures. I am glad I had pictures together with J's parents and a picture of him and my son together.
Didn't ask to see any emails or letters or phone bills or plane tickets or boarding passes or hotel receipts, which I had tons of. Didn't ask for a fresh letter of Intent or NOA2 copy, or any J's documents except for documents to do with finances. They took everything I had about finances though, I-134, 167, letter from employer, letter from the bank, tax returns for 3 previous years, recent paystubs.
I don't know why my interview was so long, but maybe because I am not a Canadian citizen and not even a Canadian permanent resident, I've been in Canada on a work permit for 3 years and I was refused a tourist visa like 4 times before they finaly gave it to me (refused all 4 times because of insufficient ties to home country), and I was divorced before, and my son is in Russia right now, and I changed my last name twice. Though I never overstayed anything anywhere, or broke any laws, or anything like that.
I was well prepared with all copies and translations except for one thing: my son's father's notarised consent that he didn't mind my son moving to the US. I didn't have it as they didn't have it on the checklist, and my son is not even in Canada now, and we will not be applying for his visa in Canada, but in my home country -right away. So I thought I would need everything regarding him later.
At the end of the interview the officer finally said it was alright, and they gave me 221g saying "insufficient information" and scary "additional administrative processing" and the list of documents to bring, which consisted only of the consent and the passport, and the letter was dated incorrectly, like a month ago. They also gave me my passport back.
I got my visa a couple days later after I brought the required document.
Overall, there was nothing really scary even though I didn't like some of the questions I was asked. The guy, who collected my documents prior to the interview, was extremely helpful, explained everything to me, answered all my questions, gave me his name and direct phone number, and was very nice.
| | | Vancouver, Canada | Review #1795 on July 14, 2007: |
Lauralily
Rating: 
Click here if you found this review helpful | Review Topic: K1 Visa
I went with my canadian fiance (I'm the USC) to the consulate in Vancouver on Tuesday, July 10 to do our interview. We had originally been processed in Montreal, but got our file transferred to Vancouver on the advice of several visajourniers (my fiance had moved to Vancouver in the interim). For all you people waiting endlessly for an interview in Montreal, it is very easy to transfer to Vancouver if you have an address you can use, and they are moving VERY fast there (as in they will schedule you an interview within a couple of weeks, whereas the wait in Montreal is taking months). The morning of the interview we went to ScotiaBank and paid our $100 US fee, and received two stamped receipts (as of July 1 they are requiring this, rather than processing the payment at the interview). We arrived at 12:40 for a 1pm interview. The security guard told us to come back in 5 minutes. We returned, presented our interview letter, and he let us in. As required by the letter, we did not bring in any food, beverages, large bags or electronics (including cell phones). I just brought a little wrist purse, and my fiance brought a wallet. We went through security, up an elevator, and through security again (who knows why). Then we sat down to wait. There were two other k1 applicants there (though I was the only USC accompanying). We were 2nd. After about 15 minutes, they called the first girl up to the window. The agent started going through her documents, but then sent her to sit back down to fill out a form she had forgotten to fill out. Then they called us up. At this point they were just checking all our documents. They asked for 1) passport 2) forms (156 and 156k) - but then realized we had already submitted the forms to montreal, so returned them. We had filled out second copies anyway though, just in case. Then the agent had my fiance sign the 156k 3) two photos, which the agent stuck on the 156 forms 4) birth certificate (he took a copy and the original, and then returned the original at the end of the interview) 5)police report. For anyone wondering, our police report was not done through the RCMP, but through Toronto Police. That was fine. As long as the report says that a check of your name and dob was done through the CPIC, which is the national repository of criminal records, you are fine 6) I-134 affidavit of support. He checked to see that it was notarized, then took my letter from employer, bank officer, recent bank statements, copies of 2006 W2 and 1090, some stock and mutual fund info. I had brought copies of everything, which he did not want, and he also did not want info on my personal property (such as car). 7) Then he opened the medical, and said because the doctor had checked no problems, we did not need to give him the x-ray, but that we should keep it in case they want it when we apply for AOS. The he told us to sit down and wait for the interview. About 45 minutes later, they called us to a different window. My fiance was fingerprinted, and they asked us very standard questions. When did we meet (college), the trajectory of our relationship, our jobs, etc. He asked to see some photos, and we chatted a bit. Very relaxed, and both agents were very professional. They told us to return the next day for the visa. My fiance went back the next day, and they returned his passport with the visa in it, as well as a sealed packet to submit to CPB. All in all, a great, smooth experience with no problems. Hopefully everything will go smoothly when he enters the USA tomorrow, and then it's on to marriage and AOS!
| | | Vancouver, Canada | Review #1793 on July 14, 2007: |
mr_s_p
Rating:
Click here if you found this review helpful | Review Topic: K1 Visa
Well, we had the interview last Wednesday... sorry I didn't post sooner, but was busy driving back Thursday and Friday was busy as well with errands and such, and this morning dropping my fiancee and her son off at the airport for their flight home (otherwise I wouldn't be up this early in the morning on a Saturday!!! )
Interview was on July 11th at 1PM, we were there at 12:35PM. It was very hot in Vancouver but where the consulate doors were, it was nicely shaded, so when we were told that we'd have to wait, it was no big deal. There were 2 other gentleman there, who I found out later that they were there for K1 as well.
So, we went through airport like security... I made sure the boys didn't bring their electronics and that I left the cell phone and other prohibited items (Leatherman tool) in the van or hotel. We all made it through security no problems, even my USC Fiancee's son had no problem. I expected problems here as his passport still had not come before they came up from Kansas. We were escorted to the elevator and the guard ensured that we were going up to the 20th floor. Once there, we had to go through the security routine again, the metal detector even more thorough (I had to remove my belt this time) and let in through a locked door and told to sit on the 4 blue chairs. The first booth is where they check all the paperwork for completeness and such. They were just doing the first K1, he was finished about 10 minutes after we were sitting on the blue chairs. Then they called the other gentleman where that took about 20 minutes. Then came our turn. Well, this is where I found out that the Canadian Citizenship Certificate is not the same as a Birth Certificate. However, I had a Birth Registration form from France with me where I was actually born (I was born in France by Canadian parents, my father whom was with the Canadian Forces posted to NATO).
After all the paperwork was ascertained, we were told to sit in a larger square waiting area adjoining the 4 blue chairs and that the interviews were to start at 2PM. We got to talking with the other K1 people there. It was about 2:45PM when we all were told to sit on chairs in front of another set of interview booths, and the first gentleman was called up. He was up in the booth for about 45 minutes while they were working through some problems. Then I was called up. I mentioned that there was another gentleman who was here before me, but the interviewer told me that I should come up as I would be done quicker. So other than the standard questions and asked to show some pictures of us together, which he was getting answers from a conversationalist point of view, what came out of the interview is that my fiancee needed to get a certified copy of a court order regarding a previous marriage and that, while he was ok with not having to worry about the translation of the french birth certificate, the people at the border may have issues with it not being translated. So, since I would have to get that court order from the fiancee, he might as well mandate that there would need to be a translation of the french birth certificate. At the conclusion of the interview, he gave us our passports back.
After the interview, we were told to go to the first booth and wait for our names to be called, and this is where we were told how to do the logistics of the actual submission of the abovementioned paperwork and passports to the Consulate.
So, in summary, we weren't told we were denied, and the general feeling that I get, is once this paperwork is submitted, then we'll get the passports mailed back to us via prepaid expresspost envelope with the visas in them. The boys, my 2 boys and her son, were well behaved, though all were very bored. Still, it's an exercise when there's 5 of us there as a family. There's not even a lot of reading material, like magazines and such, at all.
The people were nice in the Consulate, the interviewer was doing the conversationalist route, but I could tell that he's steering the conversation to answer the questions he was seeking the answers to...
Hope this helps.
Scott.
| | | Montreal, Canada | Review #1764 on July 7, 2007: |
neiks
Rating:
Click here if you found this review helpful | Review Topic: IR-1/CR-1 Visa
I better get this done before I forget.
Arrived in MTL airport at 22:30. There is a shuttle that you takes you downtown. I think it was $14 dollars and you can catch it at stand #5 or was that 9? See I'm forgetting things already. Anyways, it's a nice big a/c bus but if your not staying at one of the 3 hotels it services directly then you get dropped off at the bus station and have to catch a smaller bus to take you directly to your hotel. It's fine if you aren't in a hurry and want to economize.
Arrived at the Days Inn Downtown on Rene Leveque. This is the newer of the two Days Inn downtown. Rooms are small but nice, new and clean. Checked in then asked which way to the consulate and how far. Clerk said it was a 10 minute walk, about 5 blocks. Headed out to find it. This was now about 11ish at night. I felt perfectly safe walking alone in Montreal. The Jazz fest was going to be starting the next night so there was lots of people milling around but from my past experience, there always seemed to be a lots of people around and felt very safe walking at night. Headed down Rene Leveque, pasted a Holiday Inn Express, a Travelodge and the famous VJ La Tour Centre Ville (which was booked up) so I knew that I was close. Found the entrance up the side street off Rene Leveque pretty much kiddie corner from the Tour Centre Ville.
By this time I was starving and my mouth watering for some poutine. I headed up to St Catherine street which is one street up from Rene Leveque in my search for some beautiful cheesy curds. After walking a fair ways along St. Catherine my choices for eating were very limited due to the time. I finally opted for one of the late night diners. Nickels. Sure enough they served poutine and smoked meat. Ordered me up a plate. YUMMM.... The smoked meat was great and the poutine I will rate 4 cheese curds out of 5. After stuffing myself I retreated to my hotel and settle in for the eve. But damn my feet hurt for my trek along St Catherines.
Woke at 6:00am and checked out at 6:45. The hotel was fine to hold my bad. Headed to the consulate. Arrived around 7:00 checked the entry way and no body was waiting. I was in desperate need of coffee and luckily the little cafe was open that is right next to it. Sat and relaxed with my coffee and at 7:15 decided to head around the corner and wait. Still nobody waiting there.
Waited and 10 minutes later another lady came along and then another man. At 7:30 the security came out and opened up the doors. He asked to see my appointment letter. The other lady was turned away as she wanted something else and they told her that she had to come back at 8:30. The man was let in too. Security was very pleasant and professional. I listened carefully to what they said and he gave my my little ticket that said A and window 9. Direct me to go wait downstairs and that someone would take me up to the 19th floor. At 7:445 security came down and told me I could go up but the other man had to wait for 10 minutes or so.
I went upstairs and to window 9. Nobody there so I sat down and waited. At 8:00 the nice blond lady came to the window. I went up and she asked for my interview letter and my A ticket. She told me I could go back to the main waiting room and they would call me. I went to the main waiting room and sat. I sat all alone in the consulate for 15 minutes, finally the other man was lead off the elevator. Waited some more and a few others started to arrive. I could easily pick those that were there for their visa interveiws as the big x-ray envelope gave them away. I was called back to window 9 and the nice blond lady asked for my medical papers, I told here that I had a updated I-864 as our household size had increased as we had a son. She asked if he had been documented in the US. I told her I had his US passport with me if she wanted to see it. She said, no, that was fine as long as he's documented in the US. I also told her I had a new passport which was in my new married name. She said that's no problem, we will make a copy and change your name to reflect it on the visa. She asked if I had an updated police certificate and I said no. She said that was fine. Asked if I had the expressenvelop and I gave it to her. She handed me back all my original doc's (birth certificate, marriage certificate) and any extra doc's. She told me to have a seat back in the waiting room and it should be soon and would be called to interview room 7 or 8.
At 9:10 the first interview was called to room 7. For some reason one of the other ladies got called before me. May have been that they had to do the name change or do the calculation for my updated I-864 to ensure we were over the poverty level. The lady was in and out in less than 10 minutes. About 10 minutes later I was called to room 7. Greeted by a nice guy. He told me we had to do some finger prints so to put my index finger on the scanner. He then asked if we had the same finger print scanner at the border. I just laughed and told him we didn't have anything near this kind of technolgy. Obviously somewher he read what my occupation was. He asked if I was going to continue to work there and I said yes and I was actually going to be closer to work living in the US that in Canada. He swore me in. He then asked how I met my husband. I chuckled and said.... well, actually I first met him at the border when I was working. He laughed and said so you just kind of started talking to a truck driver and picked one up. Somewhat like that and explained that he's a farmer and the port I work at is very small and everyone kind of knows everyone, etc ,etc. He then became more interested in my husbands farm and what kind of crops he grew. He told me I wasn't the first Customs officer that he has had in for an interview. He then stated that I met all the legal criteria and there was no reason why I couldn't be approved. He gave me an info sheet and told me the my passport with Visa would be sent out within a few days. Interview was less than 10 minutes and out the door by 9:45.
Headed back the hotel to get my bag. I had a flight scheduled out at 5:30 but wanted to get home to my little one ASAP. Called Air Canada and yes they did have an earlier flight out at 1:30 but it was going to be spendy. I didn't care. I just wanted out of Montreal. No offence, Montreal is a great place to visit and would recommend to anyone to spend some time there and see the sites. I've been there - spent 9 weeks there and seen the sites, plus my feet hurt from my poutine quest the night before. I was going to take the shuttle back to the airport but after waiting for 1/2 hour past what they said they would be there, I told them to cancel and I'd take a taxi. Taxi is a flat rate of $35 dollars from downtown to airport. Had a bit of time to spare so I did head down to old montreal for a bit and picked up a t-shirt for my little one and then caught a taxi to the airport. It was 11:30 when I got to the airport so I headed to Famous Mo's and ordered another smoked meat. They didn't have poutine but their smoked meat was pretty good. I saved half and brought it home to my husband. I told him he should feel special to get a genuine smoked meat flown in to him all the way from Montreal.
All in all it was a good experience. The consulate staff was very friendly and professional, including the security. I did see some people get talked to by security but those were the ones that were wandering everywhere in areas which were clearly marked as not to stand there. Listen carefully to the instuctions they give you and follow them.
| | | Vancouver, Canada | Review #1761 on July 6, 2007: |
HannahP
Rating: 
Click here if you found this review helpful | Review Topic: K1 Visa
Apparently the room that you have to sit in before the interview is very small, stuffy, and there are no magazines or anything like that. The interview was scheduled for 1 PM, but they were backed up by about two hours. The interview itself took about thirty minutes; my fiance said that he didn't feel any pressure or harrassment on the part of the interviewer.
They made him throw his backpack (which I told him not to bring, but whatever) into the bushes outside of the consulate and it was stolen.
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